HCA Healthcare
Medical Laboratory Assistant - Specimen Reception
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Medical Laboratory Assistant – Specimen Reception
Location: London, HCA Laboratories – Shropshire House
Position Type: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Shifts: Between 8:00am and 8:30pm, Monday to Friday
Duration: Temporary role until July 2027
Salary: Competitive
We’re looking for a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join our Central Specimen Reception day team at HCA Laboratories, based in Shropshire House in London. This is a fast-paced, high-volume environment at the centre of our laboratory network, where every sample plays a part in supporting accurate and timely diagnosis.
Working within a central hub gives you exposure to a wide range of tests and laboratory pathways, offering a strong foundation to build your experience and confidence within diagnostic services. You’ll be part of a team that values precision, shared responsibility and consistent support, with structured day shifts that provide stability and balance.
As a Medical Laboratory Assistant in Specimen Reception, you’ll be part of a close and collaborative team responsible for managing samples at the earliest and most critical stage of the diagnostic journey. You’ll work closely with laboratory teams, couriers and clinical colleagues to ensure samples are handled safely, processed efficiently and directed to the right departments without delay.
In this role, you’ll build a strong understanding of laboratory systems such as Meditech, while developing practical experience in a high throughput setting. With clear processes and support from experienced colleagues, you’ll grow your technical skills, attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities with confidence.
What you’ll do:
- Receive, check and accurately book in laboratory samples using Meditech
- Prioritise and distribute samples to the correct laboratory areas within required timeframes
- Prepare and package samples for referral to external laboratories
- Respond to telephone enquiries and liaise with internal teams and external clients
- Maintain a clean, safe working environment in line with health and safety and infection control procedures
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What you’ll bring:
- A-Level or equivalent qualification in a science subject
- Strong attention to detail when handling samples and entering data
- Ability to manage workload effectively in a busy, structured environment
- Clear communication skills for working with colleagues and external stakeholders
- Understanding of laboratory health and safety principles
Why HCA UK?
Originally founded over 50 years ago by Dr Thomas Frist, HCA has gone on to become one of the world’s leading healthcare providers. In the UK, we’re one of the largest providers of privately funded healthcare and have invested over £500 million in the latest treatments, technology, techniques, medication and facilities.
Being part of a large multisite, established healthcare group we can offer you unrivalled opportunities for career progression through internal and external courses, as well as working conditions that prioritise both your mental and physical wellbeing.
We believe that by caring for our colleagues, we empower them to provide exceptional care for our patients. That’s why we offer a host of flexible benefits that reflect the invaluable contribution they make every day.
As a Medical Laboratory Assistant – Specimen Reception you’ll be eligible for:
- 25 days holiday each year (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with option to buy or sell leave to suit you
- Private Healthcare Insurance for treatment at our leading hospitals
- Private pension contribution which increases with length of service
- Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work scheme
- Group Life Assurance from day one
- Critical illness cover
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
- Corporate staff discount for all facilities including Maternity packages at The Portland
- Comprehensive range of flexible health, protection and lifestyle benefits to suit you
- Discounts with over 800 major retailers
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Culture and values
At HCA UK we believe exceptional care starts with our people. We celebrate the unique perspectives and different experiences each of us bring as we know that when you feel seen, heard and supported you can be at your best for our patients, and each other.
Our mission is simple, above all else we’re committed to the care and improvement of human life, a clear statement that extends to both our patients and colleagues.
To achieve this, we live and breathe four core values:
- Unique and Individual: We recognise and value everyone as unique and individual
- Kindness and compassion: We treat people with kindness and compassion
- Honesty, integrity and fairness: We act with absolute honesty, integrity and fairness
- Loyalty, respect and dignity: We trust and treat one another as valued members of the HCA UK family with loyalty, respect and dignity
Reasonable adjustments
We believe everyone should feel comfortable to bring their full self to work and be afforded the same opportunities. As a Disability Confident committed organisation, we’re happy to discuss flexible working arrangements to suit your needs as well as offer reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, and in the workplace, to anyone that needs them.
Life with us means taking pride in your team and delivering the highest quality care. We’ll support your ongoing learning in an environment that features advanced equipment and practices, one of the best colleague-to-patient ratios in the UK and varied, interesting work.
As part of HCA Healthcare US, the world’s largest healthcare company, we can also promise that you’ll learn from experts in every department and that your opportunities will be endless.
With us, you’ll be empowered to achieve more in your career, and more for our patients.
Visit our careers page for more information.
HCA Healthcare: Over 50 years of creating a healthier tomorrow
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